The UK’s biggest furniture and furnishings trade event, the January Furniture Show, returns to the Birmingham NEC from 20th-23rd this month, bringing buyers five halls packed with over 500 exhibitors.

Offering a selection of classic and contemporary furniture, flooring, lighting, accessories and service providers that is unrivalled in the UK, the January Furniture Show is a must-attend event for any buyers keen to start the year off on the right foot.

“The offering reflects tastes and trends from throughout the UK and, increasingly, highly commercial global influences,” says event director, Cleere Scamell. “Manufacturers and importers have yet again stepped up to the plate in a demanding trading environment to offer you, their customers, exciting, profitable opportunities.”

Each year, in excess of 50,000 new products are displayed at the event, encompassing models and collections for every market sector. From major UK brands to international stars, the January Furniture Show is the UK’s most comprehensive furniture event, attracting more than 20,000 visitors each year – but what is new in 2019?

This edition sees the debut of Light, a dedicated lighting section created in conjunction with the Lighting Industry Association (LIA), as well as Beds, an expanded bed and mattress footprint, delivered in response to visitor demand. There is also a new Contract Trail for visitors less interested in placing domestic orders.

On stand 4-C40, visitors will be able to enjoy Real View, an immersive VR walkthrough of a world of furniture and interior design. Conceived and co-ordinated by Max Clements, the concept is an experimental collaborative feature area that employs real-time technology from Mo-Sys.

The show’s Poken digital business card touchpoint system has been rebranded JFSConnect, and enhanced with improved functionality, more prominent placards and an app. The secure technology enables visitors to register their interest at a stand by tapping their smartbadge on a touchpoint, automatically emailing any information that has been preloaded by the exhibitor.

Furniture News will be there – on stand 3-Q11 – with great subscription offers (plus our essential furniture trade directory, Connect). Editor-in-chief Paul Farley will also be chairing The Furniture Awards 2019, the results of which will be announced on the opening day of the show.